Thornton, Ruth Irene Sallee MARSHALL -- Ruth Irene Sallee Thornton went to meet her Lord on Saturday, May 6, 2006, after a lengthy illness. Ruth was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, on April 6, 1936, to Earl Everett Sallee and Sally Woodall Sallee. Ruth was the tenth child of ten children. She was preceded in death by her father, Earl Everett Sallee, who died when she was 6-1/2 months old; her mother, Sally Woodall Sallee, who she cared for and who lived with her until she passed away at 99; her brothers, Everett Sallee, Curtis Sallee, Gilbert Sallee and David Sallee, all veterans of the U.S. military; and sisters, Corrine Sallee Rogers and Ruby Sallee. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Wayne Thornton, a U.S. veteran; two sons and daughters-in-law, Robert and Andrea Thornton of Harleton, and Jeff and Rene Thornton of Galveston; five granddaughters, Crystal Mullinnex of Hallsville, Kimber Thornton of Marshall, Ashley Thornton, Heather Thornton and Alicia Thornton of Harleton; one great-granddaughter, Kyla Moughon of Hallsville; one brother, Johnny Sallee of Marshall; a sister, Bernelle Richardson of Hallsville; a sister and brother-in-law, Glen and Wanda Gibson of Tyler; sister-in-law, Eve Sallee of Longview; sister-in-law, Merle Cross of Gilmer; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Sidney and Dorothy Keasler of Hallsville; and many nieces and nephews. She was loved dearly by all of her family and friends. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Ruth grew up in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, then moved to Longview with her family, where she met and married her husband, Wayne. She worked as a dental assistant for many years in Longview and in Greenville. She moved to Harleton in 1969. She and her husband built their own home together, where they still lived. They ran a store together in Harleton for many years and a marina and hotel at Lake O' the Pines. They also ran a dairy farm. Her husband wants to give her all the credit for where he is today. She was a member of Harleton Baptist Church. She has always been an active part of her grandchildren's lives. Services for Ruth will be at the Colonial Chapel of Sullivan-Heaster Funeral Home in Marshall at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 9, 2006, with Brother Craig Evers officiating. The Rev. Margaret Carrell will be assisting. Interment will be in Center Cemetery in Harleton. The family will receive friends today, May 8, 2006, from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Bobby Adams, Terry Gibson, Ronnie Gibson, Don Orchard, Larry Don Jones, Seth Muse, Danny Sallee and Harold Sallee. The family would like to say a special thanks to all of the loving staff that we had the pleasure of getting to know at Good Shepherd Hospital. They were wonderful to us in our time of need. Also to Ruth's sister, Wanda Gibson, for the devoted attention she showed her by staying by her side at the hospital. Published in the Longview News-Journal on 5/8/2006 -------------- Thornton, Ruth Irene Sallee MARSHALL -- Services for Ruth Irene Sallee Thornton, of Harleton, will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 9, 2006, at the Colonial Chapel of Sullivan-Heaster Funeral Home in Marshall, with Brother Craig Evers officiating and the Rev. Margaret Carrell assisting. Interment will be in Center Cemetery of Harleton. Mrs. Thornton passed away May 6, 2006. Born April 6, 1936, in Pine Bluff, Ark., she worked as a dental assistant for many years in Longview and Greenville. Along with her husband, she also ran a store in Harleton for many years, a marina and hotel at Lake O' the Pines, and a dairy farm. Survivors include her husband, Wayne Thornton; sons, Robert Thornton and Jeff Thornton; brother, Johnny Sallee; and sisters, Bernelle Richardson and Wanda Gibson. Published in the Longview News-Journal on 5/9/2006 -------------- Thornton, Ruth Irene Sallee MARSHALL -- Services for Ruth Irene Sallee Thornton, of Harleton, were 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 9, 2006, at Colonial Chapel of Sullivan-Heaster Funeral Home, with Brother Craig Evers officiating and the Rev. Margaret Carrell assisting. Interment followed in Center Cemetery of Harleton. Mrs. Thornton died May 6, 2006. Born April 6, 1936, in Pine Bluff, Ark., she was a dental assistant and operated a store, marina, hotel, and dairy farm. Survivors include her husband, Wayne Thornton; sons, Robert Thornton and Jeff Thornton; brother, Johnny Sallee; and sisters, Bernelle Richardson and Wanda Gibson. Published in the Longview News-Journal on 5/10/2006.